Maytag bravos washer stuck on sensing – what to try if your Maytag bravos washer won’t go past sensing

Is your Maytag Bravos washer stuck on sensing?

If yes (the sensing light could be coming on and staying on and it won’t proceed to doing the washing no matter how long you wait), below is what to try to make it work properly again.

Maytag bravos washer stuck on sensing – what to try if your Maytag bravos washer won’t go past sensing

Maytag bravos washer stuck on sensing -Basic things to check

First, here are the very basic things/areas to check if your Maytag bravos washer is stuck on sensing:

Is your washer level?

On occasion, the issue occurs because the washer is not leveled properly.

So check if it is level and jack the legs up, until it is perfectly leveled, if necessary.

Your washer might resume normal activity after leveling it!

Is it overloaded?

Another common cause of the problem is too big a load so try to run it once again with a smaller load.

Is the lid closed fully (and locked)?

Another thing we recommend you take a look at is the lid (you want it to be closed fully and also locked).

That’s because the washer tends to remain in sensing mode (without going on to actually start washing the clothes) if the lid is not closing and locking as it is supposed to.

This could be due to some interference on the lid itself or the lid lock so check and remove any obstacles/buildup (or repair the lid lock, if needed).

 

Maytag bravos washer stuck on sensing – what else to try

Try to reset it

These washers sometimes develop programming problems – an algorithm could have failed- so try to reset the washer and see what happens.

The easiest way to reset it is by unplugging it for about 5 minutes then plugging it back in (you can also reset it via the breaker).

ALSO READ: How to reset Maytag Bravos washer (Steps and tips)

If the 5 minutes power off did not help and your washer still won’t go past sensing, then try the following troubleshooting procedures:

Quick Tip: Try to run diagnostics on the washer (more on that later) to see if you’ll get error codes that points to the components we suggest you replace below before you do the replacement. It will save you time and money (nobody wants to replace a part that’s not the culprit)

 

Replace the shift actuator

In quite a few cases, the problem is triggered by a bad actuator– also called the shifter.

You may have to replace the shifter but before that, try the following:

• Check all the shifter connectors.
• Check if some cloth (or some other item) is wedged between the basket and impeller – this could bind the two important parts together.
• Verify that the shifter’s slider moves freely- The shifter and motor should typically be able to turn independently (of each other). In short, there will be a slider problem if they’re locked together.

If none of the above helps, then you need to try to replace it.

It’s worth mentioning that the shift actuator often goes bad in Maytag and Whirlpool washers (and a few other brands) –once it does, it is not able to shift position (as expected) before the start of a wash cycle.

Be sure to run a fresh calibration cycle after replacing the part.

 

Replace the clutch and the rotor

If the clutch is not working properly (it is not making the impeller and the basket move properly in tandem), then you most likely need to swap out the clutch assembly and the rotor.

Why so?

The rotor sometimes gets chipped away gradually when you use the machine until it stops holding the clutch assembly appropriately so the two parts need to be changed.

To do that, you have to take the bottom apart- luckily, it’s not that difficult to do (plus, there are YouTube videos that demonstrate how you can take it apart).

 

Put it into diagnostic mode – the best troubleshooting procedure

As mentioned earlier, perhaps the best strategy is to put your appliance into diagnostic mode and perform the myriad automated tests.

You want to see if it will go through all the test modes successfully (or what errors does it bring up).

If it does, and the lid locks during testing successfully, then you could be looking at a faulty  control board.

But if it did not run through all the tests and it instead flashed some saved error codes, you need to read the error codes to get an idea of what’s specifically wrong with the washer.

Now, different fault codes mean varied faults so you have to be careful when interpreting the error codes.

For example, error code F5E2 points to Lid Lock problem (meaning the lid is probably not locking as required)- the entire lid lock may even have malfunctioned so a replacement might be needed.

Likewise, F7E5 pops up if there is an issue with the shifter (actuator)- We previously saw that the actuator is a common culprit and the best solution is to install a new one.

To put you on the right track, check out the most common Maytag Bravos washer error (You will find instructions on how to clear the fault codes and more importantly, what you need to address for every code).

Finally, if it cannot enter diagnostic modes at all, then you most probably have a defective control board (A failed control board won’t enter diagnostic mode by default).

Final words

Is your Maytag bravos washer stuck on sensing even after trying everything indicated above?

Well, go ahead and retrieve the tech sheet from inside the washer (you have to raise the washer’s top panel to access it)..

It could have some extra handy tips on why your Maytag bravos washer is stuck on sensing.

Best of luck.

ALSO READ:

Maytag Bravos MCT washer diagnostic mode

Maytag Bravos MCT washer diagnostic mode – How to enter

Maytag centennial washer troubleshooting (fixes and tricks) 

How to reset Maytag top load washer to factory settings